This luxury residence in Middle Village, Queens is a 6,300 square foot luxury homefeaturing four bedrooms and bathrooms, a multi-functional cellar, home office, laundry room, gym, and a meditation/yoga room. The home also offers two separate entrances for extended family living and to enhance the multi-functionality of the space.
From the outset, the developer desired an energy efficient design with maximized square footage. However, this site presented many challenges due to its shape (triangular) and orientation. To solve for this, NODEplaced large opening lift and slide glass patio doors with krypton-filled, triple insulated glazing at the southern facade. These air-tight, high-performance windows and doors are positioned strategically to use the sun's southern exposure while the balconies provide proper shade from the roof overhang.
The largest solar panels sit atop the structure above an air-tight, super insulated roof. Traditionally, the amount of insulation found in a roof is 2-6” (the 2020 NYC Energy code only requires 6”), but this project specified 14”, or 150% more than required to improve additional thermal properties within the home. This significantly increases the building’ssolar heat gain capacity, meaning enhanced energy efficiency.
NODE constructed the home’s foundation using insulated concrete forms (ICF). The project’s exterior frame features ICF with 6-inch energy insets providing an overall thickness of 8.5” of continuous insulation. From an initial cost perspective, ICF is more expensive than wood (more commonly found in conventional framing), but this permanent interior and exterior substrate is much more durable. For example, the expectation for this building’s lifespan (thanks to the methods used) is at minimum 100+ years.
From a heating and cooling perspective, this project incorporated a Zhender energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system because it provides a balanced ventilation system which supply and exhaust equal quantities of air. The two air streams never mix, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring optimal indoor air quality.This balanced ventilation solution removes excess moisture, odors, and contaminants while conserving energy and enhancing comfort.
